Former Godolphin trainer MAHMOOD AL ZAROONI "has withdrawn an appeal against the length of his eight-year ban for doping racehorses" (BBC, 5/29). ... British Amateur Boxing Association Chair DEREK MAPP "has been removed from his post" despite British boxers' five medals at the 2012 London Games. Mapp had the support of the Welsh Amateur Boxing Association, but was "voted against by England and Scotland" (BBC, 5/28). ... A Wimbledon spokesman has confirmed that tennis player BERNARD TOMIC's father and coach, JOHN TOMIC, will be barred from attending next month's championships, and ''that will include access to the grounds by ticket, too'' (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 5/30). ... Australian Football League Collingwood President EDDIE MCGUIRE "faces an AFL racial vilification investigation following his derogatory remarks" about Swans player ADAM GOODES (SMH, 5/30).
ON THE PITCH: Russian footballer ANDREY ARSHAVIN "has become the highest-paid player of all time," based on monthly salary, after signing a contract with Azerbaijan club Khazar Lankaran for €4M ($5.2M) for two months (AS, 5/28). ... Brazilian football player NEYMAR, who recently signed with Barcelona, became the most-followed Spanish football player on Twitter. Neymar has 6.8 million Twitter followers, more than INIESTA (6 million), PIQUÉ (5.9 million) and PUYOL (4.8 million). Neymar is fourth in Facebook friends, as he trails LIONEL MESSI, Iniesta and DAVID VILLA (SPORT, 5/28).
